Breastfeeding FAQs

Latch & Positioning
Breast & Nipple Pain
Tongue & Lip Tie
Milk Supply & Pumping
Switching Between Bottle and Breast

Latch & Positioning

  • A latch that suddenly feels different can be due to multiple reasons. Baby may have grown significantly and how they are positioned at the breast may alter that latch slightly. They may be pulling away from the nipple to regulate and manage a fast flow of milk if you have an abundance of milk and fast let-down. Often babies become so effective and efficient at the breast when they get bigger, they’ve mastered breastfeeding so they aren’t needing to be held as close to the breast as they can bring themselves in closer if needed. It’s important to look at the whole picture when trying to determine if a change in your baby’s latch is an issue. If you have started to experience pain with breastfeeding, if baby’s growth has significantly slowed, if you are noticing few wet nappies, and/or if breastfeeding is feeling stressful, these are signs and it’s worth getting an in-home assessment. As an IBCLC lactation consultant on the Sunshine Coast, I can observe a full feed and help you work out exactly what’s changed and why.

    Want a full feeding assessment to find out what’s changed? Enquire here.

  • Signs of a latching problem include pain during feeds, clicking sounds (caveat - not all clicking is an issue if baby is growing, enjoying feeds and you don’t have pain with breastfeeds), slipping off the nipple, biting down on the nipple, slow weight gain, a baby that seems frustrated at the breast or feeds that never seem to satisfy your baby. If you’re noticing any of these, a proper assessment can tell you what’s really going on. I offer in-home lactation support across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie region, with enough time in each visit to actually observe a feed and get to the root of it.

    Noticing any of these signs? Enquire here to book an in-home assessment.

  • Difficult latching and maintaining that latch in most cases comes down to positioning and attachment at the breast. Some other causes can be a fast let-down, bottle preference/nipple confusion, low supply, misinterpreting feeding and tired cues, an aversion to feeding or your baby’s oral function. It’s rarely one single thing. I work through this with you hands-on, in your own home, so we can find what’s actually happening and fix it together rather than guessing.

    Ready to get to the bottom of it together? Enquire here.

  • Often we focus so much on our baby’s mouth and how it looks during the latch. Not all babies need to have a big wide mouth to get onto the breast as many babies will adjust their latch and bring more breast tissue into their mouth once they are on the breast. There is no one way fits all when it comes to breastfeeding. Quite often how we are bringing our baby to the breast is inhibiting their natural reflexes and therefore preventing them to latch well at the breast and transfer milk efficiently. I look beyond simply your babies mouth, but instead the whole picture, the mother-baby dyad in order to support positive breastfeeding experiences for mum and baby, allowing baby to feed efficiently at the breast.

    Book an assessment to work out what’s behind it. Enquire here.

  • A sleepy baby at the breast is common, especially in the early weeks. Breastfeeding isn’t just for nourishment, it’s also your baby’s safe place and place of comfort. If your baby is often sleepy at the breast and your seeing limited active sucking and swallowing at the breast, growth and your supply can be signnifcantly impacted. If you are concerned about these things I can do a full assessment on your baby’s skills at the breast and determine if they are getting enough milk in to grow and thrive. I can help you with techniques to keep your baby engaged and feeding effectively, and work out whether there’s something else going on underneath the sleepiness, or if this is just normal for them.

    Want to know which one it is for your baby? Enquire here.

  • Pain during breastfeeding is a sign something needs adjusting, it’s not something you have to push through. Quite often positioning and attachment of baby at the breast is the culprit. When a mother is creating a lot of milk (hyperlactation/oversupply) this can cause engorgement, inflammatory mastitis symptoms, breast and nipple sensitivity and milk blebs. Past nipple trauma that’s taking a long time to heal can also result in ongoing pain and sensitivity during and post feeds. A less common cause but one that certainly can create pain during breastfeeding is a tongue tie. There are other causes that not many mothers are aware of, but that I’m very knowledgeable in identifying and treating. I’ll help you find the cause and get you feeding comfortably again.

    You don’t have to push through the pain. Enquire here for support.

  • A shallow latch paired with suspected tongue tie is a common reason mums reach out. With my background in speech pathology and oral motor function, I can properly assess whether a tie is affecting your baby’s feeding and guide you on the right next steps. I use the most reliable and recommended tongue tie assessment to determine if this is the cause of your baby’s breastfeeding challenges and I won’t ever recommend unnecessary tongue tie surgery/procedures.

    Get a proper oral function assessment. Enquire here.

  • Nipple shields can be a helpful short-term tool, but many mums want to transition off them eventually. Weaning off a shield takes a gradual, supported approach, and I can guide you through it step by step so the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible for you both.

    Ready to make the transition? Enquire here for a step-by-step plan.

  • A difficult first breastfeeding journey doesn’t mean the next one will go the same way. Understanding what actually happened last time, whether it was latch, supply, lack of family support, incorrect advice, a triple feeding plan leaving you exhausted, breast and nipple pain, or something else, is key to avoiding the same challenges. With the right support from the start, antenatal guidance, and a plan in place before baby arrives, many mums have a completely different experience second time round. I offer antenatal consultations to help you prepare and feel confident going in.

    Want an antenatal consultation to prepare accurately this time? Enquire here.

Breast & Nipple Pain

  • Recurring mastitis points to something underlying, whether it’s an oversupply issue, your current management of mastitis symptoms, or a pattern in how and when you’re feeding or pumping. Treating the symptoms is only half the picture, working out why it keeps coming back is what actually breaks the cycle. As an IBCLC lactation consultant, I look at your full feeding picture, not just the current flare, to help prevent it recurring. Mastitis treatment recommendations have changed in recent years and I am up-to-date with the latest mastitis treatment advice which is backed by evidence and actually works!

    Want to get to the root cause? Enquire here.

  • Nipple pain and stabbing pain outside of breastfeeds is commonly diagnosed as thrush (Candida Albicans) and treated with antifungals, however research shows that these symptoms are not associated with breast or nipple candidiasis. Nipple and breast pain can be explained by other reasons (such as vasospasms, poor flange fit, neuropathic pain, DMER or hyperlactation).

    The latest research around nipple thrush has shown that it is actually incredibly rare and has been overdiagnosed and misdiagnosed! It is often confused with other causes of nipple pain, like a poor latch, dermatitis, vasospasm, or neuropathic nipple pain, all of which need different treatment. There is also no evidence to support the statement that thrush causes itchy rashes or flaky skin on the areola/breast tissue and yet these symptoms are commonly being diagnosed as thrush. Quite often this presentation is caused by dermatitis, which needs to be explored further and treated appropriately. Getting an accurate diagnosis matters, because treating the wrong thing won’t fix the pain and discomfort. I can help assess what’s actually going on and get you on the right treatment path.

    Not sure what’s causing your pain? Enquire here for an accurate assessment.

  • Ongoing nipple damage is almost always a sign that something in the latch or positioning needs adjusting, it’s not something you need to just push through. I’ll observe a full feed to identify exactly what’s causing the damage, whether that’s latch depth, positioning, or an oral tie, and work with you on a fix that actually holds.

    Ready to stop the damage at the source? Enquire here.

  • Painful nipple damage needs both immediate relief and a longer-term fix, otherwise it just keeps happening. I’ll help with practical wound care and healing in the short term, while working out the underlying cause so it doesn’t return once healed.

    Get support for both the healing and the cause. Enquire here.

  • Shooting or burning pain, especially when it continues outside of feeds, can point to a few different things, some of which include vasospasm, hyperlactation, or neuropathic nipple pain. These conditions are often misdiagnosed as one another, so an accurate assessment makes a real difference in getting the right treatment. This is an area with specialist knowledge I bring to consultations, including conditions not always well understood in general lactation support.

    Get a proper assessment to find the real cause. Enquire here.

  • A nipple bleb (aka milk bleb) is a symptom of underlying ductal inflammation. It’s the result of debris and inflammatory milk components coming to the surface and a visual representation of grumbling inflammation occurring deeper in the milk ducts. For some women they cause no issues and can be left alone, for others they can cause sharp, localised pain during feeds. They are often linked to oversupply/high milk production, lots of pumping, massaging/squeezing/compressing of breast tissue or recurrent blockages due to transient engorgement in a region of the breast that isn’t being correctly managed. Treating the bleb itself is usually straightforward, but preventing them from coming back means addressing what’s causing them in the first place.

    Want help treating it and stopping it recurring? Enquire here.

Tongue & Lip Tie

  • A frenulum under the lip, under the tongue and attached to our cheeks is a very normal part of our oral anatomy and it can vary greatly in how it looks and functions. The latest research evidence suggests that the upper labial and buccal frenulums (lip and cheek "ties") are normal structures with poor evidence for intervention improving breastfeeding and therefore should not be cut. We should be changing the language used around tongue ties as this term should not be used based solely on the appearance of the frenulum under the tongue. A tongue tie (aka ankyloglossia) is described as restricted movement of the tongue causing functional limitations that can create breastfeeding challenges. Signs of tongue tie can include a painful latch, clicking sounds while feeding, and slow weight gain. However it's important to always look at the whole baby and breastfeeding situation as there are other causes for nipple pain, poor latch, clicking at the breast and slow growth. With my background in speech pathology and oral motor function, I look beyond whether a tie is simply present, I look at the infant-mother dyad and provide up-to-date evidence-based advice.

    Not sure if it's a tongue tie or something else? Enquire here for an assessment.

  • A diagnosis is only the first step, understanding how and if the tie is actually affecting your baby's feeding, and what to do next, is where the real support comes in. I offer thorough oral motor and breastfeeding assessments to understand the full picture, and can guide you on next steps, including referral to a provider for treatment if that's needed.

    Get clarity on what this diagnosis means for feeding. Enquire here.

  • Gassiness and fussiness can have a few different causes, and a tongue tie is worth ruling in or out, especially if it's affecting how efficiently your baby is transferring milk. A restricted tongue can mean your baby swallows more air during feeds, or works harder than they should to get enough milk, both of which can show up as fussiness. Another more common reason is oversupply which can cause over-feeding and stomach discomfort for your baby. A full assessment of your baby's feeding patterns and the breastfeeding situation is important to really understand what may be happening.

    Want to find out what's behind the fussiness? Enquire here.

Milk Supply & Pumping

  • Pumping output isn't always an accurate reflection of your actual milk supply, plenty of mums with a healthy supply struggle to get much from a pump, especially in the early days. Minimal milk yield (milk volume output) can often relate to incorrect flange fit, pump settings, technique, or simply how your body responds to a pump versus a baby. Before assuming there's a supply problem, it's worth working out whether the issue is really about pumping efficiency. I can help troubleshoot your setup and technique properly.

    Want to find out what's really going on? Enquire here.

  • An incorrectly sized flange is a common reason for poor pumping output, discomfort and a gradual reduction in supply. Signs your flange size might be off include nipple and breast pain during and/or after pumping, tissue rubbing against the tunnel wall, lumps in the breast, redness on the breast or nipple trauma after a session. Getting properly fitted makes a real difference to both comfort and how much milk you're able to express.

    Get your flange fit checked properly. Enquire here.

  • A sudden, dramatic drop in supply overnight is actually quite rare, milk supply typically changes gradually rather than disappearing all at once. What often feels like an overnight drop is usually linked to things like a change in your baby's feeding pattern, hormonal changes, or your breasts simply feeling softer as your supply regulates to your baby's needs (which is completely normal and not a sign of low supply). If you're genuinely concerned, it's worth getting an assessment rather than guessing.

    Concerned about a sudden change in supply? Enquire here for a proper assessment.

  • Frequent, short feeds in the newborn stage are common, and not necessarily a sign that something's wrong. There are times however when a baby who consistently falls asleep early into a feed may not be transferring enough milk to feel properly satisfied, which can create a cycle of frequent, less effective feeds. I can help work out whether your baby is feeding efficiently, and give you strategies to encourage longer, more effective feeds if this is something your baby is needing support with to ensure adequate intake and growth.

    Want help getting to the bottom of the pattern? Enquire here.

  • Not necessarily. Hourly feeding, particularly during growth spurts, evening cluster feeding, or the newborn stage, is a normal part of building and maintaining supply, not automatically a red flag. The better indicators of whether your baby is getting enough are weight gain over time, good output of wees and poos, baby demanding for feeds, and overall settledness between feeds, rather than feeding frequency alone. If you're unsure, I can properly assess your baby's feeding and reassure you either way.

    Get clarity instead of guessing. Enquire here.

  • Fussiness at the breast can come from a number of things, low supply, oversupply, difficulty obtaining and maintaining their latch at the breast due to poor positioning at the breast, a fast or slow letdown, wind/stomach discomfort, or simply a fussy phase, so it's not always a supply issue. The clearest signs your baby is getting enough include weight gain over time, good output of wees and poos, baby demanding for feeds, and your baby settling reasonably well after most feeds. If you're worried, an assessment can give you a clear answer rather than leaving you guessing.

    Want a clear answer on whether he's getting enough? Enquire here.

  • True low milk supply is less common than most mums fear, but it does happen, and the earlier it's addressed, the easier it usually is to improve. Signs worth taking seriously include slow or poor weight gain, fewer wet and dirty nappies than expected, unsettled between feeds or a baby that seems sleepy and doesn't show strong feeding readiness cues. If this sounds like your baby, there are effective strategies to help your baby breastfeed more efficiently and ensure that you are producing what they need to grow and thrive, but these strategies work best when properly assessed and guided, rather than trying every tip you find online.

    Get a personalised plan to build your supply. Enquire here.

  • Oversupply can be just as challenging as low supply, and often shows up as a forceful letdown, a baby who gags, coughs, gulps, or pulls off the breast in a tense manner during feeds. Mothers with hyperlactation/oversupply will also often present with particular breast symptoms often called "irritable breast syndrom". This can present as recurring blocked ducts, engorgement, mik blebs, breast and nipple pain or mastitis. The good news is oversupply usually responds well to the right adjustments in feeding and pumping habits, but the approach needs to be tailored to you, going about it the wrong way can sometimes make things worse.

    Ready to bring your supply back into balance? Enquire here.

Switching Between Bottle and Breast

  • A bottle feed that regularly takes over an hour usually points to something making feeding harder work than it should be, whether that's teat flow rate, positioning, a bottle aversion, a breast preference, or a medical condition. It's worth having this properly assessed rather than just pushing through longer sessions, as prolonged feeds can be exhausting for both of you and can develop into feeding aversions.

    Want to find out what's slowing things down? Enquire here.

  • Bottle refusal, whether it's a baby who's never taken one or one who's suddenly stopped, is one of the most common feeding challenges I help with. Many families I see have bought multiple bottles and teats and have tried multiple tricks in an attempt to get baby to accept the bottle. Common causes are that the baby hasn't learnt how to drink from a bottle due to limited previous exposure to bottles, that they have developed a breast preference, or that they have a bottle aversion. Success usually comes from a patient, structured approach rather than trying every trick at once. I can help you build a plan that actually works for your baby.

    Ready for a proper plan to get the bottle accepted? Enquire here.

  • Breastfeeding is driven by suction and can take time for mum and baby to learn and master. A baby doesn't need much suction to be able to easily draw milk from a bottle. It's also can be very easy to stimulate a baby's suck reflex with a bottle compared to the more baby-led approach to feeding which comes with breastfeeding a young baby. A bottle preference is also a common reason for a baby to feed well on a bottle and less so at the breast. There are multiple factors to look at and as an IBCLC and Speech Pathologist with a wealth of experience in the oral mechanics and behaviours of breastfed and bottle fed babies, I can help make sense of this for you and support you to reach the feeding goals you have for your baby.

    Get to the bottom of why breastfeeding feels harder. Enquire here.

  • Transitioning from exclusive pumping back to the breast is possible, and there is both a gradual and fast structured approach that I can tailor to your baby. How challenging this will be can be impacted by the age of your baby and how long they have been having bottles for. For some babies this process involves them needing time to learn how to breastfeed, helping them to learn that they can feel satiated at the breast (as they are currently conditioned to believe that bottles is where they get their nutrition from), and resolving any breast aversion behaviours that may be lingering. I'll work with you and your baby patiently to make this shift as smooth as it can be.

    Ready to work toward breastfeeding again? Enquire here.

  • Teat choice can be incredibly overwhelming and isn't well researched however I certainly have a preference of teat when it comes to babies that are breastfed. The wrong flow rate or teat shape can lead to bottle refusal, overfeeding and discomfort, bottle preference, or your baby struggling to switch between the two. I can guide you on a teat and feeding approach that supports both breastfeeding and bottle feeding working together.

    Want guidance on the right teat for your baby? Enquire here.

  • This is one of the most stressful feeding challenges parents face, especially with a return-to-work date approaching. If you've already tried multiple teats and bottles without success, the issue often isn't the equipment itself, it's usually that baby is conditioned to believe that breastfeeding is what makes them feel happy and satiated and they wonder why someone is putting this silicon thing in their mouth. How a baby breastfeeds and feeds from a bottle also involves different oral motor movements so when a baby no longer has a suck reflex, they are needing to learn how to draw milk from a bottle. I can help you build a realistic plan with enough time before your return date to work through teaching your baby that they can receive milk from a bottle and how they can learn to do this.

    Let's build a plan before your return to work. Enquire here.

  • Breastfeeding is driven by suction and can take time to learn and master. Milk flow also varies throughout a breastfeed and often a baby is required to actively suck at the breast for a bit of time before that milk starts flowing. Bottle feeding doesn't need much suction and if the teat is full, milk will continuously and readily come out of the teat as baby sucks. How a baby feeds during a breastfeed and during a bottle feed are very different so if baby is learning both, they may be a little slower to master breastfeeding. The more bottles a baby receives, the more likely a baby is to develop a preference for the bottle and start to refuse the breast. As you can see there are many factors that can influence a baby's feeding patterns and preferences. Luckily I can help you to explore what is happening and support you as we work on a solution.

    Find out what's making breastfeeding harder for your baby. Enquire here.